On the 21st, prosecutors requested a prison term for Song Min-ho (33), a member of the idol group WINNER, who was brought to trial for more than 100 unapproved absences during his mandatory service.
At 10 a.m. on that day, Judge Seong Joon-gyu from the Criminal Division 10 of the Seoul Western District Court conducted the initial hearing for Song, who was charged with violations of the Military Service Act without being detained. The prosecution sought a sentence of one year and six months for Song, who confessed to all the charges.
Prior to the trial, Song expressed to journalists, “I sincerely apologize for my actions,” and mentioned, “I am truly sorry for letting down so many individuals.” In court, he also admitted to the accusations, saying, “I only feel profound regret for my reckless decisions. If given another opportunity to serve, I wish to fulfill my responsibilities diligently until the conclusion.”
Also present during the trial was facility manager Lee, who was charged together with Song on allegations such as breaching the Military Service Act. Lee is accused of failing in his management and oversight duties by knowing about Song’s poor attendance but letting it persist.
The prosecutor stated, “The defendant conspired to facilitate unapproved absences without valid justification,” but Lee’s team rejected these claims.
Previously, Song, who was classified as Class 4 supplementary service because of social anxiety disorder and panic disorder during a military physical examination, was accused in December 2024 before his planned release from social service duty. The police conducted an investigation for more than five months and referred Song for prosecution without arrest in May of last year.
Following further investigations, which involved forensic examination of Song’s mobile phone and GPS data, prosecutors verified more unapproved absences than initially found by the police. Song was expected to be present for duty on about 430 days, not counting weekends and public holidays, but he was absent without permission for a total of 102 days.
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